1) Client situation (anonymised):
A multi-site industrial group, headquartered in Germany, faced the strategic decision to close its Slovak manufacturing operation. The business, owned by a corporate parent, required a controlled wind-down to protect brand reputation, preserve asset value, and ensure regulatory compliance. With the closure timeline set for 12–18 months, the group needed immediate senior financial leadership to manage sensitive pre-communication, regulatory complexity, and cross-border stakeholder expectations.
2) The challenge:
- Urgent need for confidential financial leadership during the pre-announcement phase
- Complex compliance requirements under local and EU labor and tax laws
- High risk of information leaks impacting workforce morale and external reputation
- Requirement to maintain operational performance and quality through the closure period
- Asset value at risk without disciplined planning for sale or liquidation
- Lack of real-time financial visibility for headquarters decision-making
- Cross-border misalignment between local site and German headquarters
- Need for trusted liaison to manage sensitive stakeholder communications
3) Interim role delivered (speed and fit):
CE Interim rapidly deployed an Interim CFO with deep experience in industrial site closures and cross-border mandates. The assignment was structured as a 9–12 month mandate, designed to cover the full closure lifecycle. The selected interim leader brought proven expertise in regulatory compliance, asset monetization, and confidential stakeholder management. Fit was ensured through language fluency, prior closure mandates in the region, and the ability to operate as a trusted partner to both local management and the Western European headquarters.
4) What happened during the mandate:
First 30 days
- Established immediate financial control and reporting cadence for the closure project
- Implemented strict confidentiality protocols to prevent information leaks
- Mapped all regulatory and compliance obligations for the closure process
- Built trust with local management and headquarters through transparent, real-time updates
First 6 months
- Coordinated with HR and legal teams to structure compliant workforce reduction plans
- Developed detailed asset valuation and sale strategies to preserve value
- Maintained operational discipline to ensure ongoing delivery and quality standards
- Provided headquarters with clear, timely financial insights for decision-making
6+ months
- Oversaw execution of asset sales and transfer of ownership processes
- Managed ongoing compliance reporting and regulatory filings
- Supported structured communication to workforce and external stakeholders as closure progressed
- Ensured continued alignment between local execution and headquarters expectations
Handover and exit
- Documented all closure processes and compliance actions for audit readiness
- Transferred knowledge and closure status to permanent finance leadership or external administrators
- Provided final reporting and risk assessment to headquarters
- Exited with all regulatory, financial, and reputational requirements met
5) Actions taken (execution focus):
- Established secure, real-time financial reporting channels between site and headquarters
- Implemented closure-specific compliance checklists and governance routines
- Led confidential scenario planning with local and group leadership
- Coordinated asset inventory, valuation, and sale preparation
- Structured and monitored severance and retention programs in line with local law
- Ensured all regulatory filings and notifications were completed on schedule
- Maintained strict confidentiality in all internal and external communications
- Built a cadence of weekly status reviews with headquarters and local management
- Acted as primary financial spokesperson for sensitive stakeholder discussions
6) Outcomes achieved (measurable proof):
- Compliance risks contained through early mapping and disciplined execution
- No unplanned information leaks during the critical pre-announcement phase
- Real-time financial visibility restored for headquarters within 30 days
- Asset sale process initiated on schedule, preserving maximum value
- Workforce reduction executed with full legal compliance and minimal disruption
- Operational performance maintained through closure, avoiding reputational damage
- Transparent, documented handover to permanent or external closure leadership
- Closure project advanced on timeline, with reduced escalation and fewer surprises
7) Why CE Interim:
CE Interim delivered a senior Interim CFO with the precise experience needed for a sensitive, cross-border closure mandate. Rapid deployment ensured no gap in financial leadership during the most confidential phase. The interim leader’s track record in site closures, regulatory navigation, and stakeholder trust-building enabled the group to maintain control, transparency, and compliance from day one. CE Interim’s cross-border capability and disciplined governance approach reduced risk for both local operations and headquarters.
8) Call to action:
If you require an interim CFO to secure compliance, transparency, and stakeholder trust during the critical early stages of a site closure, CE Interim can deliver the right leader quickly and safely.
CE Interim delivers proven executive interim leaders within 72 hours across borders, cultures, and industries. We specialize in high-impact interim management for private equity firms, family offices, and global corporations facing moments of transition: digital transformation, market entry, operational turnaround, post-merger integration, or crisis.
What sets us apart is not just the speed or depth of our network, it’s how we lead. Every engagement is personally guided by a CE Interim managing partner: former CEOs, CFOs, or COOs who’ve been on your side of the table, steering organizations through high-stakes decisions.
With a global talent pool and operational reach spanning Europe, the USA, and the Middle East, we don’t fill roles, we build trust, lead transitions, and deliver outcomes.
As part of the Valtus Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of Executive Interim Management companies, we ensure seamless international execution through 25+ offices and 80+ senior partners in over 50 countries.
